Insulated junction tapping device



April 23, 1963 R MCCLAIN INSULATED JUNCTION TAPPING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 13, 1960 RoyHMcClain INVENTOR.

R. H. M CLAIN INSULATED JUNCTION TAPPING DEVICE April 23, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1960 PoyH.McC1a1'n INVENTOR United StatesPatent Ofi 3,087,006 Patented Apr. 23, 1963 ice 3,087,006 INSULATEDJUNCTION TAPPING DEVICE Roy H. McClain, Portland, Oreg. (Box 24,Quinault, Wash.) Filed June 13, 1960, Ser. No. 35,548 13 Claims. (Cl.174-71) 1: This invention relates to conductor tapping mechanism andparticularly to tapping mechanism comprising a housing and pluralclamping mechanisms mounted therein, {each of which is adapted to beconnected to a conductor or strand and each of which includes at leastone, usually "two or more connectors, for the attachment of tappingconductors thereto. 2 A common form of power line used by utilitiescomprises a triplex cable made up of three conductors (a groundconductor and two charged or hot conductors) supported on a carrier ormessenger strand. In the usual house, the ordinary outlets are wired for110 volts, and items such as ranges, water heaters, etc., are suppliedfrom a 220 volt source. A triplex cable can be used to supplyconveniently current at either voltage, by making suitable connectionswith the ground and charged conductors of the cable. The tappingmechanism described herein is particularly useful in connection withtapping a triplex cable, and an embodiment specifically designed forthis purpose is described herein, but it should be understood thatmodified forms of the invention could be used in other applications.

A general object of the invention is to provide novel tapping mechanismfor tapping the conductors of a power line which makes possiblesubstantial savings in the time required to tap the line.

Another general object is to provide improved tapping mechanism fortapping easily and quickly the conductors or strands of a cable wheregood electrical connections with the various strands of the cable arepossible with such connections electrically isolated from each other.

More specific objects of the invention comprise:

(A) The provision of an improved tapping mechanism comprising a housingwith top and bottom housing portions separable from each other, andplural clamping mechanisms mounted in the bottom portion of the housingfor making connections with the conductors of a cable, that includesmeans for connecting the housing portions together that also enablesthem to be separated with the bottom housing portion supported by thetop one, and with the clamping mechanisms exposed. According to thisfeature of the invention, the bottom housing portion may function as asupport when making a tapping connection.

(B) The provision of tapping mechanism of the type hereinabovedescribed, wherein novel means is provided for locking each clampingmechanism in place in the bottom housing portion, which results ingreatly facilitating making a tapping connection wtih a cable strand.This is and important feature, particularly when it is remembered that alineman frequently has only one hand free to work with.

(C) The provision of a novel clamping mechanism for a tapping device,which comprises, as separate pieces, an anchoring member, and two clampmembers, and which is made secure on a cable strand by fastening one ofthe clamp members to the anchoring member. Where means is provided forholding the anchoring member fast in a housing, the entire clampingmechanism may be made fast in the housing when the one clamp member andanchoring member are secured together. According to this invention, theanchoring member is locked in position through the process of fittingthe other of the clamp members in place in the clamping mechanism.

(D) The provision of novel tapping mechanism which comprises a splithousing with top and bottom portions separable from each other, andwhich further comprises a dividing wall of insulating materialseparating clamping mechanisms disposed on either side of the housing,whereby the clamping mechanisms are electrically insolated from eachother. This is true whether the housing portions are separated ortogether.

(E) The provision of novel tapping mechanism having novel clampingmechanisms easily separated from a housing, when necessary formaintainence purposes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe same is described hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of tapping mechanisms as contemplated by thisinvention, showing the same supported from a carrier or messenger strandand fastened to the conductors of a triplex cable, as in a typicalinstallation;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1,illustrating details of interior construction;

FIG. 4 is a plan view looking down on the tapping mechanism illustratedin FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the tapping mechanism, showing a bottom portionof the housing dropped below but supported by a top portion;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 illustrates one of the clamp members of a clamping mechanism inthe construction, showing the part alone;

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an anchoring member in the clampingmechanism,showing the part alone;

FIG. 11 illustrates another clamp member in the clamping mechanism,showing the part alone; and

FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line 1212 in FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-4, thetapping mechanism in the form of the invention shown comprises a housing10 of insulating material, having a top housing portion 12 and a bottomhousing portion 14. These are separable from each other. In operativeposition, they are fastened together, by means of an elongated fastener16. In the usual installation, the device is used with a triplex cable,having a ground conductor or strand 18, and charged conductors orstrands 20, 22. The two charged conductors extend longitudinally andwithin the housing, and the ground conductor extends in the samedirection while secured to the top of the housing. The housing itself issupported on a carrier or messenger strand 24.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, 5 and 6, bottom housing portion 14 isrectangular, and has a base 30 and side walls 31, 32, 33, and 34.Extending along the longitudinal midline of the bottom housing port-ionis a dividing Wall 36 integral with [the housing portion. A bore 29extends up through base 30 and wall 36. \As best seen in FIG. 5, thedividing wall extends above the level of side walls 31-34. On eitherside. of the dividing wall, and defined by the inner surfaces of sidewall-s 31-34 and base 30, are a pair of recesses, indicated generally at38 and 40. A clamping mechanism, such as mechanism 42 is mounted in eachrecess. In operative position, the clamping mechanisms are secured tothe bottom housing portion, and are clamped onto charged conductors 20,22. The two recesses 38, 40, and the two clamping mechanisms areidentical, so only one of each will be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 6, and 12, one end of each recess (the left end ofrecess 38 in FIG. 6) is relatively shallow. Surface 44 that forms thebottom of this end is fiat, and

only slightly below the level of the top edges of side walls 3134 (seeFIG. 3). The other end of the recess is prov-ided with a well 46. Thisis substantially rectangular in outline, and surface 48 forming thebottom of :the well is considerably lower than surface 44. Adjacent well46, dividing wall 36 is provided with a vertically extending channel 50.The channel, at approximately the level of surface 44, widens, and wherethe channel widens, locking shoulders 52 are presented. At the base ofeach Well and extending through base 30 is a round hole 53.

Each clamp mechanism 42 comprises three members, referred to herein asan anchoring member 54, a first or bottom clamp member 56, and a secondor top clamp member 58. Anchoring member 54 is shown removed from thehousing in FIGS. 9 and 10. First clamp member 56 is shown removed fromthe housing in FIG. 8, and second clamp member 53 is shown removed fromthe housing in FIG. 11.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, anchoring member 54 comprises, inoperative position, upright end walls 60, 62 and side wall 64, alljoined together to define a channel shape. Extending transversely andjoined to the front edges of end walls 60, 62 is an elongated seatportion 66 bounded on its upper side a semi.cylindrical surface 66a.Along the outer surfaces of end walls 60, 62 are vertical shoulders 67and horizontal shoulders 68 joining with these vertical shoulders. Theanchoring member is of a size that enables it to be fitted loosely intoWell 46 by dropping it downwardly therein. When the member is movedsnugly against dividing wall 36, hori- Zontal shoulders 68 slide underlocking shoulders 52, and end walls 60, 62 slide into the confines ofchannel 50. In this position, the anchoring member is held from movementup and down, and lateral movement to all sides but the side having seatportion 66. Portions of the recess so confining movement of theanchoring member constitute first restraining portions in theconstruction.

First clamp member 56, and now referring to FIGS. 3, =6, and 8,comprises an elongated bar portion 70 having three connectors. or tails72 integral therewith and extending out to one side. One end of barportion 70 has a convex, elongated, semicylindrioal bottom surface 70ashaped to fit within surface 66a of the anchoring member. The same endis provided with a concave, semicylindrical, upper surfiace 70b.Completing the description of the first clamp member, 74 indicates avertical tightening flange integral with the bar member, and projectingto the side away from connector 72 are opposed curved fingers 73. Thefirst clamp member in operative position is supported on the anchoringmember, and is fitted on the anchoring member by placing fingers 73about vertical shoulders 67. When the clamp member is in place, barportion 70 rests on surface 44. Fingers 73 of the bottom housing portionsurround shoulders 67. Surface 70a rests on surface 66a. (The shoulders67, fingers 73, and surfaces 66a, 70a constitute interfi tting meansconfining the bottom or first clamp member and anchoring member fromrelative movement). Tightening flange 74 engages the inside of a sidewall of the bottom housing portion (such as the inside of side wall 32in FIG. 3), and holds the anchoring member locked in position in channel50, such inside of a side wall constituting second restraining portionsin the construction. I 1

Second clamp member 58, and referring to FIGS. 3, 6, and 11, comprises,in operative position, an upright post 80 and a transversely extendinglip portion 82 integral with the post at its upper end. Lip portion 82is provided with an elongated concave, semicylindrical clamp surface 82that faces downwardly. The second clamp member is fitted into theanchoring member by sliding post 80 into the space bounded by end walls60, 62 and side wall 64. In this position, clamp surface 84 is locateddirectly above concave surface 70b of bar portion 70. The clampingmechanism is secured to a conductor or strand by placing the conductorbetween clamp surface 84 and surface 70b,

and tightening the upper clamp member downwardly on the lower one usinga screw 86 (see FIG. 5) turned into an internally threaded bore 88provided the upper clamp member. The head of the screw is supported onthe base of anchoring member 54 by a washer 90 (see FIG. 5 and access tothe head is provided by hole 53. When the clamping mechanism is entirelyassembled, it is held securely on the bottom housing portion by reasonof the fact that the anchoring member is locked in place.

Top housing portion 12 that fits over bottom housing portion 14 isillustrated disassociated from the mechanism in FIG. 7. The housingportion comprises a top wall 92 and side and end walls 94, 95, 96, and97, all integral with each other. End walls 96, 97 are provided withnotches 98 to receive conductor-s passing out through the housing whenthe top and bottom portions are fitted together. Integral with top Wall92 are downwardly depending walls 100, 162. Walls 100, .102 fit oneither side of dividing wall 35 with the housing portions together, andthe ends of dividing wall 36 fit within end walls 96, 97, generally asindicated by the dashed outline of wall 36 in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 5, fastener 16 used in securing top and bottomportions 12 and 14 together comprises a screw part 104 extensible from ashank portion 106. Shank portion 106 has an internally threaded bore 108into which the screw part 104 is turned when bringing the housingportions together. The top of shank portion 106 is provided with athreaded extension 110. A nut 112 screwed onto the extension holds thetop end of the fastener on top housing portion 12. The nut also holds aplate 113 on the top of the housing means, this plate having mechanismfor tapping a ground conductor which in operative position for themechanism passes over the plate and is secured thereto.

Shank 106 has a square cross-sectional outline, and fits withinelongated square holes 114, 116 provided the top and bottom housingportions, respectively. The square shape of the holes and shank inhibitrelative turning of the housing portions when they are separated, as inFIG. 5.

Considering now how a ground conductor is secured to plate 113, andreferring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, joined to plate 113 are upstandingthreaded studs 124. A pair of opposed grippers 126 are mounted on eachstud. The grippers have turned-down corners that fit on opposite sidesof a conductor. In FIG. 4, ground conductor 18 is fastened in place bypassing it between the opposed grippers of each stud and tightening nuts130.

The entire mechanism is supported on a messenger strand such as strand24 using spring clips 120 detachably mounted on ears 118. The clips haveloop portions 122 intermediate their ends adapted to be placed about amessenger strand. To place a messenger strand in a loop, a leg of theclip having the loop is pulled free from an ear 118, which permits theloop to be opened up.

Explaining how the tapping mechanism of the invention may be used withthe usual triplex cable, a lineman first mounts the housing on themessenger strand, using spring clips 120 as just described. Grippers 126on each stud are then separated by loosening nuts 130. The groundconductor or strand may then be placed within each pair of grippers. Atthe same time conductor pieces such as pieces 128 are secured in placeas shown in FIG. 4. When nuts 130 are then tightened, the groundconductor is held securely, and the ends of conductor pieces 128 providemeans for connecting a tapping conductor to the ground conductor, usingconventional sleeve-type clamps.

To provide access to the clamping mechanisms within the housing, screwpart 104 is backed out of shank portion 106, with the result that thelower housing portion drops below the upper housing portion while beingsuspended thereby. When the housing portions separated, each clampingmechanism on each side of dividing wall 36 may be loosened, to enable acharged conductor or strand to be placed therein. Important is the factthat during loosening, the anchoring members are locked in place in thehousing, a considerable convenience factor as it enables a lineman tomake proper adjustment easily with one hand. After a strand is placedbetween the first and second clamp members of a clamping mechanism, theclamp members may be drawn together using screw 86, and when tightenedthe entire clamping mechanism is securely held in the housing asexplained. This feature is important, as it means that after a strand isproperly installed on one side of the housing, the other side may be-worked upon, without fear of the parts on the said one side becomingdislocated. Three connectors or tails are provided for the connection oftapping conductors to each clamping mechanism, using conventionalsleeve-type clamps. When both of the charged conductors are properly inplace, screw part 104- may be turned to advance it into shank portion106, with the housing portions moving together and finally assuming theposition shown in FIGS. 1-4.

The housing, since it is made of an insulating or dielectric material,provides proper electrical insulation for the clamping mechanisms. Notethat the charged conductors are separated by wall 36 at all times. Eachof the clamping mechanisms is separable from the housing, so that it maybe easily replaced if such should be necessary.

While there has been described an embodiment of the invention, it isappreciated that changes may be made in the parts and their arrangementwithout departing from the invention. It is desired not to be limited tothe specific embodiment disclosed, but to cover all modifications andvariations that would be apparent to one skilled in the art, and thatcome within the scope of the appended claims.

:It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a housing portion, ananchoring member, a first clamp member supported on the anchoringmember, said housing portion having wall portions defining a recessreceiving the anchoring member and first clamp member, said recess beingconstructed to hold loosely the anchoring member and accommodate removalof the anchoring member from the housing portion with the first clampmember removed from the anchoring member, said recess having lockingportions constructed to confine the anchoring member from movement withthe first clamp member supported on the anchoring member, a second clampmember, and means for securing the second clamp member to said anchoringmember with the first and second clamp members clamping onto aconductor, at least one of said members having at least one connectorfor the attachment of a conductor thereto.

2. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a housing portion, ananchoring member, a first clamp member supported on the anchoringmember, said housing portion having wall portions defining a recessreceiving the anchoring member and first clamp member, said recess beingconstructed to hold loosely the anchoring member and accommodate removalof the anchoring member from the housing portion with the first clampmember removed from the anchoring member, said recess includ-. inglocking portions constructed to confine the anchoring member frommovement with the first clamp member supported on the anchoring member,a second clamp member, and means for securing the second clamp member tosaid anchoring member, said first and second clamp members havingclampnig portions adapted to be clamped onto a conductor, at least oneof said clamp members having at least one connector for the attachmentof a con nector for the attachment of a conductor thereto.

3. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a housing portion, ananchoring member, a first clamp member supported on the anchoring memberand removable therefrom, interfitting means integral with said firstclamp and anchoring members confining the two from relative lateralmovement, said housing portion having wall portions defining a recessreceiving the anchoring and first clamp members, said recess beingconstructed to hold loosely the anchoring member and accommodate removalof the anchoring member from the housing portion with the first clampmember removed from the anchoring member, said recess, with the firstclamp member supported on the anchoring member, having first restrainingportions confining movement of the anchoring member up and down and toall sides but one side and second restraining portions engaging saidfirst clamp member confining movement of the anchoring member to saidone side, a second clamp member, and means for securing said secondclamp member to said anchoring member with the first and second clampmembers clamping onto a conductor, at least one of said members havingat least one connector for the attachment of a conductor thereto.

4. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a housing portion, ananchoring member, a first clamp member supported on the anchoring memberand removable therefrom, interfitting means integral with said firstclamp and anchoring members confining the two from relative lateralmovement, said housing portion having wall por tions defining a recessreceiving the anchoring and first clamp members, said recess beingconstructed to hold loosely the anchoring member and accommodate removalof the anchoring member from the housing portion with the first clampmember removed from the anchoring member, said recess, with the firstclamp member supported on the anchoring member, having first restrainingportions confining movement of the anchoring member up and down and toall sides but one side and second restraining portions engaging saidfirst clamp member confining movement of the anchoring member to saidone side, a second clamp member, and means for securing the second clampmember to said anchoring member, said first and second clamp membershaving clamping portions adapted to be clamped onto a conductor, atleast one of said clamp members having at least one connector for theattachment of a conductor thereto.

5. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a split housing having top andbottom housing portions, means for supporting the top housing portion ona strand, means for supporting the bottom housing portion on the tophousing portion with the bottom housing portion separated from andspaced below the top housing portion, clamping mechanism for clampingonto a conductor including top and bottom clamp members that areadjustable toward and away from each other, at least one of the clampmembers having a connector for the attachment of a conductor thereto,and means mounting the bottom clamp member on said bottom housingportion and constructed to confine the bottom clamp member from lateralshifting with the top and bottom clamp members adjusted away from eachother and with the bottom housing portion separated from and below thetop housing portion of the housing.

6. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a split housing having a topand bottom housing portion, means for supporting the top housing portionon a strand, means for supporting the bottom housing portion on the tophousing portion with the bottom housing portion separated from andspaced below the top housing portion, an anchoring member, a first clampmember supported on the anchoring member, said bottom housing portionhaving wall portions defining a recess receiving the anchoring memberand first clamp member, said recess being constructed to hold looselythe anchoring member and accommodate removal of the anchornig memberfrom the bottom housing portion with the first clamp member removed fromthe anchoring member, said recess having locking portions constructed toconfine the anchoring 7 member from movement with the first clamp membersupported on the anchoring member, a second clamp member, and means forsecuring the second clamp memher to said anchoring member with the firstand second clamp member clamping onto a conductor, at least one of saidmembers having at least one connector for the attachment of a conductorthereto.

7. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a split housing with top andbottom housing portions, means for supporting the top housing portion ona strand, means for supporting the bottom housing portion on the tophousing portion with the bottom housing portion separated from andspaced below the top housing portion, an anchoring member, a first clampmember supported on the anchoring member and removable therefrom,interfitting means provided integral with the first clamp and anchoringmembers confining the two from relative lateral movement, said bottomhousing partition having wall portions defining a recess receiving theanchoring and the first clamp members, said recess, with the first clampmember supported on the anchoring member, having first restrainingportions confining movement of the anchoring member up and down and toall sides but one side and second restraining portions engaging saidfirst clamp member confining movement of the anchoring member to saidone side, a second clamp member, and means for securing said secondclamp member to said anchoring member with said first and second clampmembers clamping onto a conductor, at least one of said members havingat least one connector for the attachment of a conductor thereto.

8. Conductor tapping mechanism comprising a split housing having top andbottom housing portions, means for supporting the top housing portion ona strand, means for supporting the bottom housing portion on the tophousing portion with the bottom housing portion separated from andspaced below the top housing portion, a pair of clamping mechanisms,each for clamping onto a conductor and each having top and bottom clampmembers that are adjustable toward and away from each other, at leastone of the clamp members of each clamping mechanism having a connectorfor the attachment of a conductor thereto, means mounting the clampingmechanisms on the bottom housing portion with one adjacent one side andone adjacent the other side of the housing portion, and a dividing wallof insulating material integral with the bottom housing portion disposedbetween the clamping mechanisms and constructed to isolate electricallyone from the other.

9. The mechanism of claim -8 wherein each clamping mechanism furthercomprises an anchoring member with said bottom clamp member supportedthereon, said bottom clamp member being removable from said anchoringmember, the means mounting the clamping mechanism comprising wallportions defining a recess constructed to lock the anchoring member inposition with said bottom clamp member supported on the anchoringmember, and means for securing the top clamp member to said anchoringmember.

10. Tapping mechanism for a triplex cable having a ground and twocharged conductors comprising a split housing having top and bottomhousing portions, means connected to the top housing portion adapted tobe connected to the ground conductor of the cable and accommodating theconnection of a tapping conductor thereto, fastener means connectingtogether the top and bottom housing portions and adjustable to enableseparation of the housing portions with the bottom housing portiondropped below and supported by the top housing portion, a pair ofclamping mechanisms for clamping onto the two charged conductors, eachof said clamping mechanisms having top and bottom clamping members thatare adjustable toward and away from each other, and means mounting theclamping mechanisms on said bottom housing portion with one adjacent oneside and one adjacent the other side of the housing, said clampingmembers being removable separately from the housing.

ll. The tapping mechanism of claim 10 wherein the bottom housing portionfurther comprises a dividing wall of insulating material integraltherewith and disposed between the two clamping mechanisms andconstructed to isolate electrically one from the other.

12. The tapping mechanism of claim 10 wherein each clamping mechanismcomprises a first and second clamp member and an anchoring member withthe first clamp member supported on the anchoring member, said firstclamp member and anchoring member having interfitting means integraltherewith confining the two from relative lateral movement with thefirst clamp member supported on the anchoring member, said bottomhousing portion having wall portions defining a recess receiving theclamping mechanism, said recess, with the first clamp member supportedon the anchoring member, having first restraining portions confiningmovement of the anchoring member up ad down and to all sides but oneside and second restraining portions engaging said first clamp memberconfining movement of the anchoring member to said one side.

13 Tapping mechanism for a triplex cable supported by a messengerstrand, said cable having a ground and two charged conductors, saidtapping mechanism comprising a split housing having top and bottomhousing portions, means connected to the top housing portion forconnecting it to the messenger strand, means secured to the top housingportion adapted to be connected to the ground conductor andaccommodating the connection of a tapping conductor thereto, fastenermeans connecting together the top and bottom housing portions andadjustable to enable separation of the housing portions with the bottomhousing portion dropped below and sup ported by the top housing portion,a pair of clamping mechanisms for clamping onto the two chargedconductors, each having top and bottom clamping members that areadjustable toward and away from each other, and means mounting theclamping mechanisms on said bottom housing portion with one adjacent oneside and one adjacent the other side of the housing, said clampingmembers being removable separately from the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,929,861 Husted Mar. 22, 1960

1. CONDUCTOR TAPPING MECHANISM COMPRISING A HOUSING PORTION, ANANCHORING MEMBER, A FIRST CLAMP MEMBER SUPPORTED ON THE ANCHORINGMEMBER, SAID HOUSING PORTION HAVING WALL PORTIONS DEFINING A RECESSRECEIVING THE ANCHORING MEMBER AND FIRST CLAMP MEMBER, SAID RECESS BEINGCONSTRUCTED TO HOLD LOOSELY THE ANCHORING MEMBER AND ACCOMMODATE REMOVALOF THE ANCHORING MEMBER FROM THE HOUSING PORTION WITH THE FIRST CLAMPMEMBER REMOVED FROM THE ANCHORING MEMBER, SAID RECESS HAVING LOCKINGPORTIONS CONSTRUCTED TO CONFINE THE ANCHORING MEMBER FROM MOVEMENT WITHTHE FIRST CLAMP MEMBER SUPPORTED ON THE ANCHORING MEMBER, A SECOND CLAMPMEMBER, AND MEANS FOR SECURING THE SECOND CLAMP MEMBER TO SAID ANCHORINGMEMBER WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND CLAMP MEMBERS CLAMPING ONTO ACONDUCTOR, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING AT LEAST ONE CONNECTORFOR THE ATTACHMENT OF A CONDUCTOR THERETO.